Muftiate tries to influence the election of Ingush leader

The Muftiate's statement about Yunus-Bek Evkurov's renunciation from the Muslim community is a pre-election step Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, believes. Moscow is unlikely to refuse to support Ingush leader Evkurov, said Bagaudin Khautiev, a lawyer.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the renunciation decision was made by the Ingush Muftiate on May 27.

"This story has to do with the pre-election process; and it seems to me that the aim of the Muftiate's statement is to prevent Evkurov's next term in power as the head of the republic. The statement is addressed to the federal centre and is intended to emphasize that Evkurov has failed to agree with the traditional clergy," Ms Sokiryanskaya, the head of the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Prevention.

There are candidates for the post in the region, on whom Muftiate could rely, but Moscow is unlikely to refuse supporting Evkurov, Mr Khautiev believes, adding that Moscow will refuse to nominate Evkurov for his third term only if people go to rallies and express their disagreement.

"Even if the whole public community opposes; and it has already done this, only mass protests can change the Kremlin's decision," said Bagaudin Khautiev.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.